The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Ecclesiastes 5

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before G-d; for G-d is in heaven, and thou…” — the complete text of all 19 verses is below, free to read online.

1Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before G-d; for G-d is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.

2For a dream cometh through a multitude of business; and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.

3When thou vowest a vow unto G-d, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest.

4Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

5Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should G-d be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

6For through the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but fear thou G-d.

7If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they.

8But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field.

9He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity.

10When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?

11Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

12There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;

13and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

14As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

15And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind?

16All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.

17Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which G-d hath given him; for this is his portion.

18Every man also to whom G-d hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour--this is the gift of G-d.

19For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for G-d answereth him in the joy of his heart.

19 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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